Ori Olokun, autobiography, others to highlight Jimi Solanke at 80

Jimi Solanke.

AS veteran thespian, Jimi Solanke turns 80 on July 4, activities celebrating his birthday have been released to take off from July 1-8, 2022,  to highlight what has been described as his eminent Life and illustrious Career.

 Among such events is a virtual Conference on his times at Ori Olokun Theatre, holding on Friday July 1. Other programme highlight:

A documentary on his Life and Career has been produced and would be screened in the course of the Conference. In the said film, titled, Jimmy Show,  produced and directed by Ayodele Adewunmi,  the celebrant paid generous tribute to the role many admirers  played in the course of his time at the Ori Olokun.

 In the autobiographical documentary, the multi-disciplinary Solanke reflects on his 80 years of existence, spotlighting the key events of his over six decades of professional life, stated Niyi Coker, Jr., Professor & Director,

The School of Theatre, Television & Film, 

San Diego State University, California. "He highlights attributes that made his career one of the most illustrious in Africa's Creative industry." Coker explained that Solanke  talks about his early childhood and training, as well as his theatrical, storytelling and musical performances all around the world, especially his American experience. "Jimi's story traces the history of beginning of professional theatre practice in Africa and, pays tribute to those who made it happen."

  The documentary, according to Coker, features interviews with great minds in African theatre and culture worlds some of whom had been either Jimi's mentors, colleagues or associates, including the dramatist, Prof Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel laureate in Literature.